About Us
Children’s Commons Ecological Society (CCES) is a not-for-profit society with a mission to create learning environments that foster the connection between children and the natural world by providing repeated and regular access to a nature space, hands on collaborative learning, playful inquiry, and reflection and use of materials as a means for all learners to extend their understanding of themselves and their relationship to the world around them.
In 2015 CCES founded Calgary’s first Nature Kindergarten offering the Alberta Kindergarten curriculum through learner-led exploration of the natural world. It is a government-approved and publicly-funded kindergarten, in which children will spend the majority of their days exploring and learning in nature. It is the first in Calgary and one of only a few operating across Canada.
Children's Commons Ecological Society Board of Directors: Tara Dressler (Chairperson), Kevin Chan (Treasurer), Rachel du Plessix (Secretary), Aurora Spoering(Director), Darcey Campbell (Director), Lisa Menzies (Director), Erin Spring (Director), Heather Scrimgeour (Director), Kelsey Kim (Director), and Eddy Chung (Director)
Our Staff
Kate Robertson
Kate Robertson’s is the Program Director for the CCES Nature Kindergarten and one of our Teachers at our Rosemont location.
Kate is a born and raised Calgarian, mother of three, and teacher of ten years. Growing up in Calgary, Kate frequented the mountains for camping, hiking, skiing, and climbing.
Kate loves sharing nature with her children. Most weekends and days off, you can find her biking or walking in fish creek or the mountains. Kate’s children attend or attended both Common Digs and Calgary Nature Kindergarten.
As a teacher, Kate had ten years of experience with the Calgary Board of Education, teaching grades one to four. During this time, Kate has been an advocate for nature-based education and spent several years as a part of the Global Environmental Council for outdoor education, training in both Project Wild and as a Forest School Practitioner.
You can reach her directly at: kate@calgarynaturekindergarten.com
Adam Verheyde
Adam is our Teacher at our Red Deer Lake United Church location.
Adam was born and raised in Calgary and loves being outdoors. He will jump at any chance to go fishing, disc golfing, and walking. When at home, Adam likes to play with his cat “Rusty” and hang out.
Adam is super excited to be working alongside your children.
You can reach him directly at: adam@calgarynaturekindergarten.com
Make it stand out
Darian is excited to be joining Calgary Nature Kindergarten as one of our teachers at the Rosemont location.
Darian has experience as a kindergarten teacher and has also supported students through literacy intervention and resource teaching. She believes children learn best through curiosity, play, meaningful relationships, and time spent outdoors. She is passionate about creating learning experiences that foster confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of nature.
Outside of the classroom, Darian enjoys spending time in the mountains hiking and camping whenever she can. She also loves practicing yoga, reading, learning new instruments, and relaxing at home with her partner and their three cats.
Darian is looking forward to learning alongside the children as they explore, discover, and build meaningful connections with the natural world.
You can reach her directly at: darian@calgarynaturekindergarten.com
Jelita Gaspersz
Jelita Gaspersz is the Educational Assistant at the Rosemount Nature Kindergarten Location.
Jelita has an Art and Design background from her time at the University of Alberta. Since then, she has worn many different hats, from baking pretzels to graphic design, art instructor, recruiting, and now as an educator.
Jelita is passionate about helping children explore their imagination and express themselves freely through art and play. She hopes to aid them through their development and provide outlets for their growing imagination.
A lifelong lover of the arts, Jelita enjoys all forms of creative expression and often plays the ukulele in her free time. She’s excited to begin this new chapter of her life and is eager to contribute meaningfully to her community.
Aneka Draycott
Aneka is the Educational Assistant at our at the Red Deer Lake United Church Nature Kindergarten Location.
Aneka’s background is in recreation therapy, where she gained an appreciation for how important recreation, art and nature is to overall wellbeing. Aneka has also spent several years working with children in education.
Aneka enjoys getting outdoors with her family visiting special spots throughout the City and beyond. Aneka also loves being outdoors with the kindergarteners getting to know the park and becoming connected to it.
Anika Douma
Anika is a second year practicum student from Mount Royal University, working towards her Bachelor of Child Studies. Valuing personal expression and the importance of community, she is passionate about creating artistically, outdoor exploration, and connecting with her friends and family. She also enjoys taking care of her house plants and animals, including her cat Pablo and her pet snake Jacob.
Anika is thrilled to be completing her practicum with Calgary Nature Kindergarten this semester, and looks forward to learning and engaging with the community!
Teague Urquhart
Teague is the Registrar for CCES Calgary Nature Kindergarten. He has lived, worked, and played in Calgary for his entire life. After receiving a Bachelor of Environmental Science from The University of Calgary Teague began volunteering as an Environmental Educators with multiple organizations throughout Calgary. This volunteering brought about a passion for education and Teague began seeking out a career as an Environmental Educator.
Teague's passions include education, permaculture, and the outdoors.
You can reach him directly at: registrar@calgarynaturekindergarten.com
